How to find resource-hogging processes using the Linux command line
How to find resource-hogging processes using the Linux command line
https://www.howtogeek.com/find-resource-hogging-processes-using-the-linux-command-line/
Publish Date: 2026-02-21 12:30:00
Source Domain: www.howtogeek.com
Summary
- All processes on Linux require RAM and CPU cycles, which can lead to competition for these resources.
- Tools like free, top, and htop help identify memory hogs and high CPU usage.
- Use commands like ps and top to identify and kill offending processes and regain system performance.
Every piece of code running inside your Linux computer needs RAM and CPU cycles. A process taking more than its fair share slows down other processes. Here’s how to find the culprits.
The processes and resources balancing act
RAM and CPU cycles are finite resources. When a program’s code is executed, a process is formed. Along with the processes of the operating system, there are the processes that run your desktop environment, and any commands or applications that you launch. They all require CPU time and RAM.
Linux and the CPU have to manage the allocation of RAM and balance and schedule the CPU workload across cores and threads, to make sure all processes get a share.
Applications are supposed to be written to make sure they don’t monopolize your machine, but sometimes things go wrong, and processes can try to commandeer all your RAM and monopolize your CPU.
That’s when you need to be able to identify the runway process.
Investigating high RAM usage
Linux uses free RAM as cache. Although it might look like all of your RAM is in use, that’s probably a false impression. If required, items are dropped from the cache to allocate RAM to regular processes.
The free command
The free command gives…
